When to introduce Carbon?

[Army_of_mantis_men]

Hello, I have a newbie question but I've tried to look up answers and it WIDELY differs.
Is there a moment in a tank's life when to start running carbon? I've been thinking about putting a carbon bag inside my AIO but I honestly don't know what to expect, how long to run it, whetver or not to dose additional nutrients etc.

I have my AIO up and running pretty much flawlessly - went through algae blooms, but pretty much standard development. I also vacuum sand every other week or so. Besides that, I've only noticed in the last couple of days a bit of algae dusting on glass that is noticable a day after I clean the glass. All water parameters are ok. Maybe carbon will help with that? Dont know. I'm feeding regularily but farily light. Thank you!

 

[jermzisurmom]

When and if you do water changes the water is yellow in the bucket add carbon

 

[Sophie"s mom]

I have always run carbon. You are right, there are many, MANY differing opinions on this. Just always make sure you use a good quality carbon like Polylab. Also make sure you rinse it very, very well before use.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I ran GAC (ROX 0.8 brand) as soon as there were reef organisms in my tank.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

I ran GAC (ROX 0.8 brand) as soon as there were reef organisms in my tank.

YEP ! THat is another great GAC. The only reason I do not use that is that is is too small a granular for where I use it.

 

[BryanM]

Quality and rinsing are paramount in my mind. I also now run carbon in my tank, and we saw an immediate improvement in water quality (my water was not yellow, but more just slightly cloudy).

 

[Fish Fan]

I'd leave it out during the initial nitrogen cycle, but after that I don't think it would ever hurt to use it. I would also suggest using a quality GAC like the BRS Rox or Chemi-Pure brand is popular.

Most people run carbon to remove any yellowing pigments in the water and improve water quality. Another use of carbon is to remove various poisons like coral chemical warfare or if the maid drops a bottle of furniture spray in your tank (because who among us doesn't have a maid??). This is the only situation where carbon may be an absolute necessity, otherwise I don't believe you necessarily *have* to run carbon.

Just in case you are planning on keeping Tangs, the use of carbon has been linked to a disease called Head and Lateral Line Erosion or HLLE, and some fish are particularly susceptible, so take this in to consideration if you plan on keeping these fish.

Here's a thread on HLLE and carbon for more info:

Carbon Proven to Cause HLLE in Tangs

Saltwater Smarts just released an excerpt from Jay Hemdal's new ebook on fish diseases, which describes a study the Toledo Zoo performed proving that carbon can directly cause HLLE in tangs. Does this mean to never run carbon in your tank if you're keeping tangs? No. I took that we can...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Army_of_mantis_men]

I'd leave it out during the initial nitrogen cycle, but after that I don't think it would ever hurt to use it. I would also suggest using a quality GAC like the BRS Rox or Chemi-Pure brand is popular.

Most people run carbon to remove any yellowing pigments in the water and improve water quality. Another use of carbon is to remove various poisons like coral chemical warfare or if the maid drops a bottle of furniture spray in your tank (because who among us doesn't have a maid??). This is the only situation where carbon may be an absolute necessity, otherwise I don't believe you necessarily *have* to run carbon.

Just in case you are planning on keeping Tangs, the use of carbon has been linked to a disease called Head and Lateral Line Erosion or HLLE, and some fish are particularly susceptible, so take this in to consideration if you plan on keeping these fish.

Here's a thread on HLLE and carbon for more info:

Carbon Proven to Cause HLLE in Tangs

Saltwater Smarts just released an excerpt from Jay Hemdal's new ebook on fish diseases, which describes a study the Toledo Zoo performed proving that carbon can directly cause HLLE in tangs. Does this mean to never run carbon in your tank if you're keeping tangs? No. I took that we can...

www.reef2reef.com

thanks, this is super helpful. My tank is cycled and I don't have any water coloring issues, except when I vacuum the sand bed - and that coloring is caused by detritus. What I have is Red Sea Reef-spec carbon in a baggie, thanks for pointing out the need to rinse it, it'd otherwise chug it right in .)

 

[Sophie"s mom]

thanks, this is super helpful. My tank is cycled and I don't have any water coloring issues, except when I vacuum the sand bed - and that coloring is caused by detritus. What I have is Red Sea Reef-spec carbon in a baggie, thanks for pointing out the need to rinse it, it'd otherwise chug it right in .)

Definitely rinse it THOROUGHLY! But it s indeed a very good addition to a reef tank for many varied reasons.

 

[saltyfins]

CAC would be best, if you have coral. However, it's expensive. the GAC, can/will deplete your minor elements.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

CAC would be best, if you have coral. However, it's expensive. the GAC, can/will deplete your minor elements.

What is CAC?

 

[BriDroid]

I run GAC 24/7 too.

 

[saltyfins]

What is CAC?

catalytic activated carbon

 

[saltyfins]

catalytic activated carbon

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Freefbuilders.com%2F2025%2F02%2F06%2Freef-moonshiners-post-doc-reduction-method-using-cac%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExZkRrTmoyb0Jsbkk2NVdscwEemSzeqznrtdSRfY0V0xiHj-3jJ2Lxym4MYtzJyqETIE2i6HGOC3hbX9bqVEw_aem__00w-pPC5_mr3a5B9gTvGw&h=AT0tMBAYWrVeFCBY0ZAyrVMmaDNPhnBYZRir6haE9pG0NqE9wiswacmvzq8BZf07Uwxp1Kz_mpd7nQJpmgvwvcXo5hDy7r4kd9rGsyQvRSmp2JxigTAOLoMa8w4dsEzDBJHyh7xrl5YS9Q&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AT1FrpBScMAHG0MfWNGWvVjrWL6JX8bIFGekUaRhwuTQ98tFiVRrXvZ799pLQCjgpREg-RVdfH4y2ctow1EHyv3a3W127CNFEUvCxh5NBQq_DKWtolSBrF7SEjC0eDKwb_cjgk2gylGStel2P5t25n6riOtBjuSRnkaRYR9z8A-M4SEULprEWPp6EJKG6eQ

 

[Sophie"s mom]

catalytic activated carbon

HMM, never heard of it. What brand? I do have corals in my tank and would like to use what is best.

 

[X-37B]

YEP ! THat is another great GAC. The only reason I do not use that is that is is too small a granular for where I use it.

Just put the rox in a nylon bag. I do this in all systems. Old chemipure bags work great and come in different sizes.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

Just put the rox in a nylon bag. I do this in all systems. Old chemipure bags work great and come in different sizes.

great idea, thank you!

 

[saltyfins]

HMM, never heard of it. What brand? I do have corals in my tank and would like to use what is best.

https://www.cleanwaterstore.com/activated-carbon/catalytic-activated-carbon-05-cu-ft.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawIRnONleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHf1DzFDll4qqb7GMu6o-WAXfRu9D5v1jlRMuZKEF__-1m7Ri1DZTmWOfyA_aem_--brwvvfgeHfWqg-p04XxQ

 

[exnisstech]

GAC has it uses for sure but I've never found it necessary to run on a regular basis. I can see clearly end to end on my 7ft tank so that's clear enough water for me even if it does have a yellow tint when I fill a white bucket. I also have 10 tangs, some that have been with me for 8-9 years so I tend to err on the side of caution.